Recently, the Arts Center was established in SUSTech. It is well-known that all top universities in the world offer a variety of art courses. Therefore, building an excellent internationalized art education platform is indispensable for SUSTech on its way to become a world-class university.

On the occasion, we interviewed the director of the Arts Center of SUSTech – Dr Bi Baoyi. During the interview, she shared with us the development plan of the Arts Center and her ideas about how to carry out aesthetic education in a university of science and engineering.

Bi Baoyi: Years of Art Education Experience

Prof. Bi firstly told us how she got involved with art. She said: “I was born in a musical family and stayed in Germany for about 20 years. Now musical education has become one of the most important parts of my life.” Prof. Bi studied under the guidance of China’s famous musicians Prof. Guo Shuzhen and Prof. Li Xinchang. She also studied abroad in Russia and Germany for many years and obtained her PhD and the highest level of credentials in the German music industry.

Prof. Bi possesses many years of teaching experience both at home and abroad. As a distinguished professor in the Opera Center of Central Conservatory of Music, she adopted the most advanced model of opera teaching and rehearsal and directed the classic work Aida, which won wide-spread acclaim. When she served as a distinguished professor in Germany and academic adviser in Malaysia, she cultivated many excellent art talents and won many prizes in famous competitions such as the Italy Teresa Belloc International Vocal Competition.

The Development Plan of the Arts Center of SUSTech

“Art education has always been a weak link in China’s education. Compared with top universities in advanced countries, Chinese universities’ art courses are far less diverse.” Bi Baoyi said, “By offering diverse high-standard art courses, universities can cultivate students with higher capability of rational cognition and better comprehension of life and society.” Art education can change a student’s temperament and state of mind and make him a cultured individual with more vigor and confidence.

As for the development plan of the Arts Center of SUSTech, Prof. Bi introduced her plan to us based on the following aspects:

First of all, comprehensive art courses should be offered, so that students could get access to more high-quality art courses, such as vocal music, instrumental music, instrumental ensemble, chorus, or even dance, drama and painting. Besides, world-class artists from home and abroad should be invited regularly or employed to give lessons or lectures or even master classes. In this case, students could appreciate the charm of art personally.

Next, students should be provided with a lot of practice opportunities concerning art. “Art is more than appreciation. It’s also a kind of practice. Therefore, we should be engaged in it. Only through personal practice can we understand the essence of art. ”Prof. Bi said. We hope that every student could grasp at least one art skill after entering our university, such as singing, playing musical instrument, dancing or calligraphy.

“In addition, it is important to encourage students to integrate art with their majors. For example, they can study musical treatment, architectural painting, musical acoustics, physiology of arts (dance), and digital music.” Prof. Bi emphasized, “The relationship between art and technology is a growing trend nowadays and offers various aspects. Through the integration of different disciplines, the imagination and creativity of students could be improved. ”

Enable the Students of Science and Engineering to Experience the Pleasure of Art

“Mr Qian Xuesen once said, ‘Science and art are two sides of the same coin. Both of them are indispensable.’ This is also my favorite sentence.” Prof. Bi quoted when she talked about how to carry out aesthetic education in universities of science and engineering.

“Take the understanding of the universe and the world, scientists interpret it as a miracle and a wonder when they explore it, while artists perceive it as beauty. What they see or yearn for is actually the same thing. Many famous scientists are also musicians and artists. Therefore, it is not unimaginable for science and engineering students to appreciate the beauty of art.” Prof. Bi said with a smile.

After the establishment of the Arts Center, various art clubs, such as a symphony orchestra, modern Chinese orchestra, drama club and dance club were established. Combining “popularization and improvement”, the university will enable the students of science and engineering to create high-level art works and enjoy the great pleasures that art brings.

Prof. Bi said that to open the door of art for students, the Center would strengthen exchanges with similar institutions, and carry out various cultural exchanges with domestic and overseas top universities in the future.